"HARRISBURG ? Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed May 17-23 as ?Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week? in Pennsylvania to help draw attention to the devastating, non-native invasive beetle that has been killing trees in six Pennsylvania counties during the past two years."

"Self-pollinating almond trees that can
produce a bountiful harvest without insect pollination are being developed by
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
scientists. This is good news for almond growers who face rising costs for
insect pollination because of nationwide shortages of honey bees due to
Colony Collapse
Disorder (CCD) and other factors.
ARS geneticist
Craig
Ledbetter , at the agencys
Crop
Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research Unit near Parlier, Calif., is
developing this new line of self-pollinating almond trees.
Self-pollinating almonds are not new. The Tuono variety, originally from
Spain, has been around for centuries. But its traits are not attractive when
compared to Californias most popular almond, Nonpareil.
Tuonos seed coat has a hairy texture and it has a very thick shell, so
only 32 percent of the nut is edible kernel, compared to 60 to 65 percent for
Nonpareil. But Tuonos thick shell gives it more resistance to the ..."

"The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging everyone to buy a locally grown Christmas tree this year with its first ever tree-lighting ceremony of a Maryland-grown tree. The 20-foot white pine in front of the Maryland ..."

"State agriculture officials prepare annual shade tree sale Monroe News Star That's why the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry's annual shade tree sale has become so popular during the past three decades. This year's sale is scheduled next week at various department district offices throughout the state. and more »"